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Swans chief sets date to make manager decision

Francesco Guidolin: Swansea City future to be decided

Francesco Guidolin expects his Swansea City future to be resolved within a fortnight following further talks with club chairman Huw Jenkins.

Guidolin was appointed as Swansea head coach in January and has almost certainly led them to top-flight safety with the Welsh club having reached the 40-point mark with four games of the Premier League season remaining.

The Italian veteran has said on several occasions that he wants to extend his stay in south Wales, and he has again spoken to Jenkins about his future this week.

“I spoke with him (Jenkins) and our conversation continues,” Guidolin said ahead of Sunday’s trip to league leaders Leicester City.

“He said to me in two weeks he can decide for the future.

“He called me in January to help the club away from relegation and achieving those results was the most important thing.

“We did well and the important thing now is to get points, play well, and then think about the future.

“The chairman will make his decision – but my only idea is to finish the season well and I think it is the same for my players.”

Swansea are currently involved in takeover talks with an American consortium set to buy around 60 per cent of the club before the end of the season.

But Guidolin suggested his future does not depend on the outcome of that deal, saying: “No, I think not. It is the same situation.

“I have spoken to the chairman a lot about the situation (summer recruitment). We had a good conversation.

“But my focus is only on the fixtures and they are difficult because our opponents – Leicester, Liverpool, West Ham and Manchester City – have big targets.

“We must have the courage and character to take points.”

Guildolin said after last weekend’s 3-0 defeat at Newcastle that Swansea were not yet safe from the drop.

But, looking ahead to Leicester and a determination to stop being punished at set-pieces, added: “If we win, yes, it is finished. It is mathematical safety.

“We are working hard at set-pieces – offensively and defensively – since I arrived but I need to improve this situation.

“In my experience I can say I always build my team strong offensively and defensively at set-pieces.

“Now it is different, it is the opposite.

“But we are working every week to improve this and I am sure we will get better in the future.